Temecula, Calif. (February 21, 2024) — More than 500 tribal leaders, regulators, industry professionals and policy experts, gathered at the 27th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference at Pechanga Resort Casino this week for a series of speeches, workshops, and an expanded tradeshow.
The WIGC and trade show has proven to be one of the most informative conferences in Indian Country and features the annual State of the Tribal Nations Address during the General Session that kicks off the conference.
This year, the State of the Tribal Nations was delivered by CNIGA Chairman James Siva. In the address, he called for unity among tribes in the face of a variety of issues affecting them.
“The solutions are ultimately within our reach; yet we can only do these things if we are unified, not in every detail, but rather united in purpose,” said Chairman Siva, who went on to say: “Now is the time to put our collective minds together and chart a path that benefits all tribes. It’s all there for us if we want it, but the only way we will get the future we envision is if we work together.”
He touted CNIGA’s growth to 52 tribal members, which represents the vast majority of gaming tribes in California. The address touched on a variety of topics, including tribal economic progress, and previewed some topline numbers in an upcoming economic impact study from Beacon Economics.
Among other subjects in the address: Chairman Siva gave an update on legislation in the California statehouse to give tribes standing to bring the question of the legality of games offered by California’s commercial card rooms, state overreach in tribal/ state compacts, the status of two state-administered funds paid for by tribes, as well as sports wagering.
A full transcription of which can be obtained on the CNIGA website at: https://cniga.com/press_releases/state-of-the-tribal-nations-speech-2024-western-indian-gaming-conference/
In addition to the general session, attendees also attended various seminars and workshops focusing on tribal governmental issues, casino operations and security, regulation, finance, and also a series that, with state bar approval, counts toward the 25 hours of minimum continuing legal education requirements (MCLE) that the state of California requires of attorneys to complete every three years.
The WIGC takes place from Tuesday February 20 through Thursday February 22 this year, and is held every year in February.